Ready to Learn

Ready To Learn's mission is to increase access to free, high-quality books in a wide range of interests for children who are at risk due to economic hardships. Research by the American Association of Librarians suggests that one of the most successful ways to improve reading achievement of underprivileged children is to increase their access to books. Research shows that in an average-income neighborhood there are 13 books per child in the home. In a low-income neighborhood, this number decreases to an average of 1 book per 300 children. Our commitment is to ensure that each of these students in the St. Louis area has access to free, interesting, high-quality books.

Our Book Day program allows students, who might not otherwise have access to their own books, to choose books that interest them and take those books home to keep. This helps to foster their love of reading and learning, introduces them to the pride of book ownership, and empowers students to create their own personal libraries.

Our second program, Book Buddies, pairs a book with a stuffed animal representing the main character of the book. Book Buddies are used as a Pre-K through 3rd grade reading incentive.
Teachers report that Book Buddies are often used to engage students, who have had little or no reading experience, into the exciting world of books and reading. When reading with their Book Buddies, children bring the story to life.

The students we serve may have limited access to books for many reasons. School libraries have reduced hours and some do not allow the students to take books home. Public libraries in the neighborhoods of schools we serve close early due to high crime, and parents often do not have access to transportation to take students to the library. When faced with decisions to heat the home, put food on the table, or buy books, parents simply cannot choose to purchase books over providing basic needs for their children.

Ready To Learn (RTL) provides free books to St. Louis area under served children. Through our two programs, RTL provides a minimum of six free books each year to every student. We currently serve 10 + schools and will serve approximately 4,000 students, Each child who remains in an RTL school from Pre-K through 6th grade will receive more than 50 books from our programs. Since our inception in 2011, we have distributed over 278,000 free books to children in the St. Louis area.

Many of the students we serve do not have books of their own; however, we are changing that reality. Reading is the foundation for all educational success and our goal is to provide the opportunity for every child to be a successful student and lifelong reader. Thank you for supporting our mission.